SPRING SEMESTER UPDATES FROM CHANCELLOR GABER
In consideration of all facts and feedback, and in consultation with UNC System President Peter Hans and public health officials, we are making the following adjustments to our spring semester with the health of our campus and larger community as our guiding principle.
Academic Calendar
Classes will begin as scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 20, but all classes will be delivered online/remotely until Monday, Feb. 22. This decision applies to both undergraduate and graduate classes.
- On Feb. 22, classes scheduled to be hybrid or face-to-face this semester will begin meeting on campus and continue meeting in-person for the remainder of the semester. All other classes will continue in online/remote delivery.
- Classes will end as planned on May 5, with exams beginning May 7.
- Friday, April 30, will once again be a day of remembrance for our community, and no classes will be held. More information on events for that day will be shared later this semester.
We heard overwhelmingly from SGA about the importance of maintaining a weeklong break for the student body during this upcoming semester. To honor that request in the safest possible way, the break will occur from Feb. 8-12, rather than March 29-April 3 as previously listed.
- There will be no classes during the week of Feb. 8-12, and classes will resume online/remotely from Feb. 15-19.
In consideration of those students moving into residence halls Feb. 18-21 while classes are in session, we will make the following accommodations:
- For undergraduate students, there will be no assignments due or tests administered Feb. 18 and 19.
- Any undergraduate student who must miss class Feb. 18 or 19 to move into a residence hall will have their absence excused. Housing and Residence Life will provide verification as necessary.
- Academic Affairs will provide more information on this directly to faculty members.
Housing and Residence Life (HRL)
- Residential students with extenuating circumstances who need to move in as scheduled Jan. 14-17 may apply for an exception to keep their selected move-in appointment. Those students who received exceptions in the fall and are already residing in residence halls do not need to take additional action. All other students will move in Feb. 18-21.
- Additionally, understanding students and their families need time to consider their personal circumstances with this new information, residents may choose to cancel their housing and associated meal plan contract without penalty until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, by visiting the Housing and Residence Life website.
- More information about on-campus housing will be emailed directly to residents from HRL.
Off-Campus Students and Employees
Consistent with the state’s most recent guidance, North Carolinians are encouraged to remain at home as much as possible. If you are currently staying at your permanent residence away from the Charlotte area, we encourage you to consider remaining there until the start of in-person classes in February. Employees, please continue maximizing teleworking whenever possible and with the approval of your supervisor.
Dining
We will adjust our meal plans to be reflective of the changes to in-person instruction. Updated amended meal plan details and rates will be available on the Auxiliary Services Meal Plan webpage by Friday, Jan. 15. You can also contact the Meal Plan Office to discuss your options.
Testing, Health and Safety
We will continue using our daily Niner Health Check and wastewater testing this semester. Both of these tools were critical in our ability to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on our campus during the fall. Additionally, we are adding re-entry testing and enhancing mitigation testing for the spring to enable us further in identifying asymptomatic cases of the virus on our campus.
- Re-entry testing: Any student with an exception to remain in the residence halls, those who receive exceptions to move into their residence hall as scheduled in January, and students with meal plans who plan to dine on campus in January will need to complete re-entry testing soon. Please review this important information for more details.
- All other students and employees meeting the criteria for re-entry testing will be tested in conjunction with the start of in-person classes in February. Participation in re-entry testing is required. More information will be sent directly to these individuals by Friday, Feb. 5.
- Mitigation testing: We will expand our weekly mitigation testing beginning this semester to all individuals who meet the same criteria for re-entry testing . Last semester, only residential students participated in mitigation testing. Participation in this testing is required, and selection will be randomized each week. Testing will start in January for all students who have an exception to live on campus; testing for all other students, faculty and staff identified for re-entry testing will begin after the return to in-person instruction. More information will be shared directly with those meeting the requirements no later than Friday, Feb. 5.
TOWN HALLS
We are committed to updating you as quickly as we can, and we have planned a series of town halls to provide you with more information as we work through this situation together:
- Residential students and their families -- see the Town Hall here
- Faculty teaching in-person classes -- see the Town Hall here
- All students and families -- see the Town Hall here
- All faculty and staff -- see the Town Hall here
GUiding Principles
Our work is grounded by our mission as a University and our care for one another.
- The health and wellbeing of our campus community are our top priorities, and we will make decisions grounded in facts and informed by the guidance of public health experts.
- We are redefining the “new norm” for successful campus life, at least temporarily. We do this knowing the actions we take today will secure a stronger, vibrant tomorrow for Niner Nation, a community united in our shared purpose and desire for a meaningful future.
- We are committed to preserving the rich learning environment that is a hallmark of the UNC Charlotte experience, even when it is delivered online.
- Every student and employee is part of the larger “WE” that makes up Niner Nation. What affects one of us affects all of us. We must assign value to the wellbeing of those around us to foster a caring environment and place of belonging for all members of our community.
This website is the information source for the academic year. Please check back frequently to stay informed about how WE will create a successful academic year for Niner Nation.
COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY
The University is committed to providing a welcoming, accessible environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors. Our Guidance Involving People with Disabilities offers additional information.
Questions?
We know you have a lot of questions about returning to campus this fall. Check out these FAQs on what you can expect when you come back to UNC Charlotte. If you do not see your question answered here, please fill out this form. We will use your questions to inform additions to the FAQ.